Box spring assembly

ABSTRACT

A box spring assembly including a frame upon which a plurality of spring units are supported to define a load-supporting surface upon which a mattress or the like may be disposed. The spring units include a plurality of spring members having fishmouths at each end with load-supporting straight sections interconnecting the fishmouths and extending transversely or perpendicular to the sides of the assembly. The particular improvement resides in auxiliary spring members having a pair of spaced apart fishmouth portions interconnected by a support portion with the support portion being generally U-shaped whereby the auxiliary spring members are connected to the end border wires of the assembly yet the U-shaped support portion is spaced inwardly from the border wire for providing additional support adjacent the ends of the assembly.

United States Patent [1 1 Klicki [4 1 Sept. 17, 1974 BOX SPRING ASSEMBLY [75] Inventor: Chester E. Klicki, Warren, Mich.

[73] Assignee: Lear Siegler, Inc., Detroit, Mich.

[221 Filed: Jan. 19, 1973 [2l] Appl. N0.: 324,923

Primary ExaminerPaul R. Gilliam Assistant ExaminerDarrell Marquette Attorney, Agent, or FirmReising, Ethington & Perry [5 7 ABSTRACT A box spring assembly including a frame upon which a plurality of spring units are supported to define a loadsupporting surface upon which a mattress or the like may be disposed. The spring units include a plurality of spring members having fishmouths at each end with load-supporting straight sections interconnecting the flshmouths and extending transversely or perpendicular to the sides of the assembly. The particular improvement resides in auxiliary spring members having a pair of spaced apart fishmouth portions interconnected by a support portionwith the support portion being generally U-shaped whereby the auxiliary spring members are connected to the end border wires of the assembly yet the U-shaped support portion is spaced inwardly from the border wire for providing additional support adjacent the ends of the assembly.

13 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures BOX SPRING ASSEMBLY This invention relates to a box spring assembly including spring members defined by wire bent into various forms.

Wire bent into various forms to define spring members for use in box spring assemblies is not new. The subject invention, however, is specifically related to the utilization of spring members which are known as formed wire elements. Such an assembly is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 3,596,299. There are included in the assembly disclosed in that patent a plurality of auxiliary spring members which are disposed on the frame of the assembly and engage a border wire at the ends of the assembly. The next adjacent spring units in the assembly are spaced inwardly from the end border wire and from the auxiliary spring members. The area between the border wire and the first adjacent spring unit is open and in many instances requires additional support, particularly adjacent the border wire. Such support has been provided by additional straight wires, however, such increases the cost and renders the as sembly more difficult to assemble.

Accordingly, it is an object and feature of this invention to provide a box spring assembly incorporating auxiliary spring members for supporting the border wires or strands and including a pair of spaced apart fishmouth portions interconnected by a support portion, with the support portion having a length thereof spaced inwardly from the border strand to provide additional support adjacent the border wire or strand.

Other objects and attendant advantages of the present invention will be readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a plan view partially broken away of a box spring assembly constructed in accordance with the instant invention;

FIG. 2 is an elevational view of a preferred embodiment of a fishmouth portion utilized in the auxiliary spring members of the subject invention; and

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the fishmouth portlon.

A box spring assembly constructed in accordance with the instant invention is generally shown at 10.

The box spring assembly includes a spring base comprising a wooden frame 12 and a plurality of spaced apart spring units 14.

The frame 12 includes the wooden end members 16, interconnecting wooden side members 18, and cross support members extending between the side members 18.

The spring units 14 include a plurality of spring members each defined by an integral wire having a straight section 22 and a fishmouth section 24 disposed at each end thereof. The spring members are disposed in overlapping abutting pairs with the straight sections 22 thereof connected together by clips 26. The straight sections 22 of the spring members are disposed generally perpendicular to the side marginal edges as defined by the members 18, and the fishmouth sections 24 are stapled or otherwise secured to the wooden members of the frame 12.

A border wire or strand 28 extends about the periphery of the assembly and is clipped at various points by clips 30 to the various individual spring members. In-

stead of one strand 28 defining the entire border wire as shown, up to four separate strands may be utilized, one along each marginal edge. Support strands 32 are also included and are clipped by clips 30 to the border wire 28.

The various spring units are arranged to definea generally rectangular load-supporting area having the side and marginal edges above the respective frame members 18 and 16. A covering 34 is disposed over the assembly.

The border wire 28 which extends completely about the periphery of the assembly defines a pair of end border strands which overly and define the end marginal edges of the spring base.

The assembly also includes a plurality of auxiliary spring members, each of which is generally indicated at 40.

Each auxiliary spring member 40 supports a portion of the border strand as defined by the border wire 28. Each auxiliary spring member 40 includes a pair of spaced apart fishmouth portions interconnected by a support portion. Each support portion has a length thereof which is spaced inwardly from the border strand 28. More specifically, each fishmouth portion includes a torsion bar 42 disposed in abutting parallel relationship to the border strand 28 and clipped thereto by the clips 44 and each support portion comprises a generally U-shaped portion 46 interconnecting the torsion bars 42. Each U-shaped. portion 46 includes a bottom which is parallel and spaced from the adjacent border wire. Thus, each support portion 46 is spaced outwardly from the spring unit 14 which is first adjacent the border strand 28 for providing support thereber tween.

Each of the fishmouth portions of the auxiliary spring members includes a generally U-shaped section having upper and lower legs with the torsion bar 42 defining the upper leg thereof. The lower leg is indicated at 48. Each fishmouth also includes a V-shaped section including a torsion bar 50 and upper and lower spacer bars 52 and 54 extending from opposite ends thereof. The upper spacer bar 52 is integrally connected to the lower leg 48. The lower spacer bar 54 is integrally connected to U-shaped member 56 which rests upon the frame 12 and is secured therto by staples, clips or the like.

The U-shaped sections of the fishmouth portions of the auxiliary spring members are oppositely disposed so that each auxiliary spring member 40 is symetrical about a plane passing centrally and transversely through the support portion 46 thereof. In other words, the fishmouth portions of each auxiliary spring member are mirror images of one another.

The assembly also includes corner spring members 60 which extend between the frame and the border wire or strand 28 for supporting the border wire or strand 28 at the corners of the assembly.

The invention has been described in an illustrative manner, and it is to be understood that the terminology which has been used is intended to be in the nature of words of description rather than of limitation.

Obviously, many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. It is, therefore, to be understood that within the scope of the-appended claims, the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property of privilege is claimed are defined as follows:

1. A box spring assembly comprising; a spring base including a plurality of spaced apart spring units arranged to define a generally rectangular loadsupporting area having side and end marginal edges, at least one border strand overlying and defining said marginal edges of said spring base, and at least one auxiliary spring member supporting said border strand, said auxiliary spring member including a pair of spaced apart fishmouth portions interconnected by a support portion, said support portion having a length thereof spaced inwardly of said border strand.

2. An assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said support portion of said auxiliary spring member is spaced outwardly from the spring unit first adjacent to said border strand for providing support therebetween.

3. An assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein each fishmouth portion includes a torsion bar disposed in abutting parallel relationship to said border strand.

4. An assembly as set forth in claim 3 wherein said support portion comprises a generally U-shaped portion interconnecting said torsion bars.

5. An assembly as set forth in claim 4 wherein said spring base includes a frame supporting said spring units and said auxiliary spring members.

6. An assembly as set forth in claim 5 wherein each of said fishmouth portions includes; a generally U- shaped section having upper and lower legs with said torsion bar thereof defining the upper leg, said U- shaped section extends downwardly from the border strand, and a V-shaped section having a torsion bar and upper and lower spacer bars extending from opposite ends thereof, said upper spacer bar being integrally connected to said lower leg, said lower spacer bar being supported on said frame.

7. An assembly as set forth in claim 6 wherein said I U-shaped sections of the fishmouth portions of each auxiliary spring member are oppositely disposed so that each auxiliary spring member is symmetrical about a plane passing centrally and transversely through the support portion thereof.

8. An assembly as set forth in claim 7 including a plurality of said auxiliary spring members disposed at said end marginal edges thereof.

9. An assembly as set forth in claim 8 wherein said spring units include a plurality of spring members defined by an integral wire having a straight section and a fishmouth section at each end thereof with the fishmouth sections supported on said frame and the straight sections disposed generally perpendicular to said side marginal edges.

10. An auxiliary spring member comprising; an integral wire defining a pair of spaced apart fishmouth portions interconnected by a support portion, the upper extremity of each fishmouth portion terminating in aligned torsion bars, said support portion being generally U-shaped with the legs thereof extending from said torsion bars and the bottom thereof spaced from and generally parallel to the axis of said torsion bars.

11. An auxiliary spring member as set forth in claim 10 wherein each fishmouth portion includes; a generally U-shaped section having upper and lower legs with said torsion bar thereof defining the upper leg, said U- shaped section extends downwardly from the end of said torsion bar, and a V-shaped section having a torsion bar and upper and lower spacer bars extending from opposite ends thereof, said upper spacerbar being connected to said lower leg.

12. A box spring assembly comprising spring base including a plurality of spaced apart spring units arranged to define a load-supporting area having first and second pairs of oppositely disposed spaced marginal edges; at least some of said spring members including an integral wire defining a pair of spaced apart fishmouth portions interconnected by a support portion, the upper extremity of each fishmouth portion terminating in aligned torsion bars, said support portion being generally U- shaped with the legs thereof extending from said torsion bars and the bottom thereof spaced from and generally parallel to the axis of said torsion bars.

13. An assembly as set forth in claim 12 wherein each fishmouth portion includes; a generally U-shaped section having upper and lower legs with said torsion bar thereof defining the upper leg, said U-shaped section extends downwardly from the end of said torsion bar, and a V-shaped section having a torsion bar and upper and lower spacer bars extending from opposite ends thereof, said upper spacer bar being connected to said lower leg. 

1. A box spring assembly comprising; a spring base including a plurality of spaced apart spring units arranged to define a generally rectangular load-supporting area having side and end marginal edges, at least one border strand overlying and defining said marginal edges of said spring base, and at least one auxiliary spring member supporting said border strand, said auxiliary spring member including a pair of spaced apart fishmouth portions interconnected by a support portion, said support portion having a length thereof spaced inwardly of said border strand.
 2. An assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said support portion of said auxiliary spring member is spaced outwardly from the spring unit first adjacent to said border strand for providing support therebetween.
 3. An assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein each fishmouth portion includes a torsion bar disposed in abutting parallel relationship to said border strand.
 4. An assembly as set forth in claim 3 wherein said support portion comprises a generally U-shaped portion interconnecting said torsion bars.
 5. An assembly as set forth in claim 4 wherein said spring base includes a frame supporting said spring units and said auxiliary spring members.
 6. An assembly as set forth in claim 5 wherein each of said fishmouth portions includes; a generally U-shaped section having upper and lower legs with said torsion bar thereof defining the upper leg, said U-shaped section extends downwardly from the border strand, and a V-shaped section having a torsion bar and upper and lower spacer bars extending from opposite ends thereof, said upper spacer bar being integrally connected to said lower leg, said lower spacer bar being supported on said frame.
 7. An assembly as set forth in claim 6 wherein said U-shaped sections of the fishmouth portions of each auxiliary spring member are oppositely disposed so that each auxiliary spring member is symmetrical about a plane passing centrally and transversely through the support portion thereof.
 8. An assembly as set forth in claim 7 including a plurality of said auxiliary spring members disposed at said end marginal edges thereof.
 9. An assembly as set forth in claim 8 wherein said spring units include a plurality of spring members defined by an integral wire having a straight section and a fishmouth section at each end thereof with the fishmouth sections supported on said frame and the straight sections disposed generally perpendicular to said side marginal edges.
 10. An auxiliary spring member comprising; an integral wire defining a pair of spaced apart fishmouth portions interconnected by a support portion, the upper extremity of each fishmouth portion terminating in aligned torsion bars, said support portion being generally U-shaped with the legs thereof extending from said torsion bars and the bottom thereof spaced from and generally parallel to the axis of said torsion bars.
 11. An auxiliary spring member as set forth in claim 10 wherein each fishmouth portion includes; a generally U-shaped section having upper and lower legs with said torsion bar thereof defining the upper leg, said U-shaped section extends downwardly from the end of said torsion bar, and a V-shaped section having a torsion bar and upper and lower spacer bars extending from opposite ends thereof, said upper spacer bar being connected to said lower leg.
 12. A box spring assembly comprising spring base including a plurality of spaced apart spring units arranged to define a load-supporting area having first and second pairs of oppositely disposed spaced marginal edges; at least some of said spring members including an integral wire defining a pair of spaced apart fishmouth portions interconnected by a support portion, the upper extremity of each fishmouth portion terminating in aligned torsion bars, said support portion being generally U-shaped with the legs thereof extending from said torsion bars and the bottom thereof spaced from and generally parallel to the axis of said torsion bars.
 13. An assembly as set forth in claim 12 Wherein each fishmouth portion includes; a generally U-shaped section having upper and lower legs with said torsion bar thereof defining the upper leg, said U-shaped section extends downwardly from the end of said torsion bar, and a V-shaped section having a torsion bar and upper and lower spacer bars extending from opposite ends thereof, said upper spacer bar being connected to said lower leg. 